Filing an Amazon reimbursement claim is essential for recovering lost or damaged inventory, incorrect fee charges, or customer return errors. However, many sellers make mistakes that delay the process or result in denied claims.

Understanding how to properly file an Amazon FBA reimbursement request can help you avoid unnecessary losses and speed up the reimbursement process. This guide covers common mistakes sellers make, how to avoid them, and best practices to ensure you get every dollar Amazon owes you.

Common mistakes when filing Amazon reimbursement claims

1. Not knowing Amazon’s reimbursement policies

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is not understanding what Amazon reimburses. Amazon only reimburses specific FBA-related losses, such as:

• Lost or damaged inventory in fulfillment centers.
• Inbound shipment losses when sending stock to Amazon.
• Customer return errors where Amazon fails to reimburse after a return.
• Overcharged FBA fees, such as incorrect weight or storage fees.
• If your claim falls outside Amazon’s FBA reimbursement policy, it will likely be denied.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Review the Amazon FBA reimbursement guidelines in Seller Central before submitting a claim.
• Only file claims for legitimate losses covered by Amazon’s policy.

2. Missing the deadline for filing claims

Amazon has strict time limits for reimbursement claims. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to claim missing funds.

Amazon’s time limits:

• Lost or damaged inventory: 18 months
• Inbound shipment issues: 9 months
• Customer return errors: 60 days

If you file outside these timeframes, Amazon will automatically reject your claim.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Regularly check your FBA reports to identify missing inventory.
• Set a reminder to file claims before deadlines expire.

3. Submitting claims without proper documentation

Amazon requires proof of inventory loss or errors before approving a reimbursement claim. Many sellers submit incomplete claims, leading to delays or rejections.

How to avoid this mistake:

Before filing a claim, gather:

• Shipment tracking numbers (for lost inbound shipments).
• Invoices or proof of purchase (to show product value).
• ASIN, SKU, and product details (for missing inventory).
• Screenshots of incorrect fees (for FBA fee overcharges).

Without this information, Amazon may deny or delay your reimbursement request.

4. Filing too many claims at once

Some sellers spam Amazon’s support team with multiple claims at once, hoping for a quicker resolution. However, this can flag your account and cause Amazon to slow down responses or even reject claims.

How to avoid this mistake:

• File claims in an organized manner, prioritizing high-value reimbursements first.
• Wait for a response before submitting duplicate claims.
• If Amazon does not respond within 15 days, follow up professionally.

5. Ignoring Amazon’s responses or failing to follow up

Amazon sometimes denies valid claims simply because they need additional information. Many sellers give up too early without following up.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Check for Amazon’s response in Seller Central under “Case Log”.
• If Amazon requests more details, respond promptly with the required documents.
• If your claim is denied without explanation, politely escalate the case and request a reconsideration.

6. Not verifying Amazon’s reimbursement calculation

Even if Amazon approves your claim, they may underpay you based on an incorrect product value. Amazon reimburses based on fair market value, which may be lower than your selling price.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Double-check Amazon’s reimbursement calculation using your own sales data.
• If Amazon underpays, dispute the amount with proper documentation.

7. Failing to track past reimbursements

Some sellers lose money because they don’t track whether Amazon actually processed the reimbursement.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Go to Seller Central > Reports > Payments > Reimbursements to check completed claims.
• If a claim was approved but you haven’t received the payment, contact Amazon support.

Best practices for filing Amazon reimbursement claims

• Review Amazon’s reimbursement policy before submitting a claim.
• Check your FBA reports monthly to identify lost or damaged inventory.
• Submit claims on time before Amazon’s deadlines expire.
• Provide accurate documentation to support your claim.
• Follow up on claims that are delayed or denied without clear reasoning.
• Track past reimbursements to ensure Amazon has credited your account properly.

If you find the process time-consuming or complex, consider using Amazon reimbursement services to handle claims on your behalf. These services ensure you recover every eligible reimbursement without the hassle of managing claims yourself.

Final thoughts

Filing an Amazon FBA reimbursement claim is an essential part of protecting your profits, but many sellers make avoidable mistakes that delay or reduce their payouts. By understanding Amazon’s policies, tracking inventory losses, and submitting claims with proper documentation, you can ensure faster and more successful reimbursements.

For sellers who don’t have time to manage this process, professional Amazon reimbursement services can handle claims efficiently, ensuring you get every dollar Amazon owes you.